Marvel's Amadeus Cho Explained: Who Is the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Character?

Marvel's *Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man* introduces a fresh take on Peter Parker, but its animated world cleverly expands across the Marvel Universe. Many supporting characters are based on comic book heroes and villains, including Amadeus Cho, one of Peter's Oscorp interns. But who is Amadeus Cho, and why is he considered one of Marvel's most significant teen heroes? Let's delve into this brilliant, yet self-absorbed character.

This article covers:

• Who is Marvel's Amadeus Cho?
• Amadeus Cho's Hulk Powers and Abilities
• Amadeus Cho's Comic Book History
• Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

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Who Is Marvel's Amadeus Cho?

Despite his youth and the abundance of competition, Amadeus Cho ranks among the Marvel Universe's smartest individuals. His brilliance and rebellious nature, however, have often led him to clash with authority, resulting in a life spent evading the law. He displays a fondness for fugitive heroes like the Hulk and Hercules, readily defending his friends.

Amadeus's strength has grown to match his intellect. He briefly became the Hulk after absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation. Even with the classic Hulk's return, Amadeus continues his heroic endeavors as Brawn. Regardless of his alias, Amadeus Cho remains a powerful force for good.

Amadeus Cho's Hulk Powers and Abilities

Amadeus possesses exceptional intelligence, officially ranked as the seventh smartest person in the Marvel Universe—a ranking that may even be an underestimate. He excels at pattern recognition and complex mental calculations. The only drawback to his incredible mind is a constant hunger.

Becoming the Hulk granted him physical strength to complement his mental prowess. At his peak, he possessed the Hulk's full strength, along with regeneration, durability, and other abilities. Unlike the Hulk, however, Amadeus retains his intelligence and personality when transformed, avoiding the rage-monster aspect.

Currently, Amadeus operates as Brawn, slightly less powerful than his Hulk form, but still capable of unleashing his full Hulk strength when necessary.

Amadeus Cho Cheat Sheet

• First Appearance: Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15 (2005)
• Creators: Greg Pak & Takeshi Miyazawa
• Aliases: Mastermind Excello, Hulk, Brawn, Prince of Power
• Current Team: Agents of Atlas (Previously Champions, God Squad, Avengers)
• Recommended Reading: Incredible Hercules - The Complete Collection Vols. 1-2, The Totally Awesome Hulk Vols. 1-4, Champions: Because the World Still Needs Heroes

Amadeus Cho's Comic Book History

Created by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyazawa, Amadeus Cho debuted in 2005's Amazing Fantasy Vol. 2 #15. This issue, mirroring the significance of the original Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962), which introduced Spider-Man, served as a platform for introducing new Marvel characters with high potential. Amadeus quickly became the book's breakout star.

He gained recognition as the world's seventh smartest man after winning an Excello Soap Company competition. Tragically, the sponsor, Pythagoras Dupree, targeted Amadeus for death to maintain his own ranking. Following his family's death, Amadeus fled with only a coyote pup, eventually befriending the Hulk.

Amadeus returned to prominence during 2007's World War Hulk crossover, partnering with Hercules. Their adventures continued in The Incredible Hercules, leading to iconic moments such as:

They eventually became respected heroes, even saving the multiverse from Amatsu-Mikaboshi. Their partnership dissolved, leading to a new chapter for Amadeus. After absorbing Bruce Banner's gamma radiation to prevent a nuclear meltdown, he became the new Hulk, documented in Totally Awesome Hulk. He also joined the Champions, alongside Ms. Marvel, Nova, Viv Vision, and a time-displaced Cyclops.

Now, with Banner back as the Hulk, Amadeus thrives as Brawn, a powerful hero with unmatched intellect.

Amadeus Cho Beyond the Comics

Amadeus has become a recurring character in Marvel's animated and video game projects, especially since his Hulk transformation. He's a playable character in games like Marvel Future Fight, Marvel Puzzle Quest, and Avengers Academy, also appearing in LEGO Marvel games.

In animation, he appeared in Ultimate Spider-Man and Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Avengers Reassembled, voiced by Eric Bauza as Iron Spider. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2017) featured him as the Totally Awesome Hulk (voiced by Ki Hong Lee).

In the latest Spider-Man series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, voiced by Aleks Le, Amadeus is a confident scientist and Peter Parker's intern at Oscorp. His future as a super-powered hero remains uncertain, but given the comic-based nature of other characters in the show, it's likely only a matter of time.

Amadeus's MCU debut is also anticipated. His mother, Helen Cho (Claudia Kim), appeared in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), suggesting the MCU's long-term planning for this character.

For more on Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, see IGN's Season 1 review and explore how the series reinvents Peter Parker's mythology.